Boogie to Cavaliers? Don’t bank on it

With the NBA's trade deadline now less than a month away, the annual time of year for the wild, wacky and unexpected to come out almost an every-day basis is most definitely upon us.

OK, so how about DeMarcusCousins to the Cavaliers?

Back on Aug. 22 when the Cavaliers acquired IsaiahThomas, JaeCrowder,AnteZizic, Brooklyn's unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick and Miami's second-rounder in 2020 from the Boston Celtics in exchange for four-time All-Star point guard KyrieIrving, obtaining that Brooklyn pick from the Celtics was considered across the land to be a golden goose.

"Golden goose" as in carrying enough value to be packaged with pieces and parts to make the salaries work and be able to land a superstar in exchange should Cleveland decided to cash it in.

With the Cavaliers (26-14) struggling through tough times, dropping six of their last nine games, there is a sense of urgency building, at least among those who watch the team on a regular basis.

A much-talked-about guy who certainly fits that narrative would be Cousins. "Boogie," the mercurial New Orleans Pelicans big man, is having another monster season -- averaging 25.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocked shots in 35.6 minutes -- playing alongside AnthonyDavis.

However, Boogie is headed to unrestricted free agency this summer, the biggest reason the Sacramento Kings dealt him to New Orleans almost a year ago (Feb. 20) in a blockbuster move.

A report on ESPN said the Pelicans (20-19), while currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference standings, are not looking to move Cousins... yet, and are, in fact intending to try to re-sign him.

On the HoopsHype Podcast with AlexKennedy, he posted the exact question -- the Pelicans possibly being willing to part with Boogie -- to MichaelScotto, Senior NBA writer for Basketball Insiders.

"No, I don't see them moving Cousins because, one, they're trying to become a playoff team," Scotto said. "They feel their best advantage against any team -- whether it’s the Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers, etc -- is that they have two of the premier big men in the league. In a league where you see a lot of small-ball play, DeMarcus Cousins -- that’s their best advantage."

Keeping Cousins, the 6-foot-11, 270-pound 27-year-old from the University of Kentucky, is crucial, Scotto said.

"They need to keep JrueHoliday healthy and RajonRondo healthy, as well," he said. "I really don’t see DeMarcus Cousins getting moved. I think if the Pelicans, for whatever reason, went on a 10-game losing streak, or something drastic, then you could see it.

"But as of this point, I would not think of it that way."

Regarding Boogie to the Cavaliers, Scotto remains skeptical.

"I’ve seen people throw out there maybe DeMarcus Couins could go to Cleveland for the (Brooklyn Nets) pick," he said "What’s the point of that, if you’re New Orleans?"

Stay tuned...